New Wales manager Gary Speed tries to tempt old guard Ryan Giggs and Robbie Savage to face England Euro 2012 qualifier in March

Gary Speed kicked off a new era in Wales football by initiating a ring-round of recent retirees - with Ryan Giggs's name high on his list of those he hopes to entice back to international football.

The new head coach is ready to offer an olive branch to those who turned their back on John Toshack during his five-year reign.

Put your shirt on me: Speed is delighted to be unveiled as the new Wales manager

Speed, 41, was confirmed in the post
on Tuesday after agreeing a three-and-a-half-year deal with the FA of
Wales, and immediately turned his thoughts to the next competitive
international against England in Cardiff next March.

Saying all the right things: Speed answers the press in the Vale of Glamorgan

After Sheffield United released him
from his manager's role, the man capped 85 times said he wanted to make
playing for Wales enjoyable once more.

A succession of Barclays Premier
League players have called time on their international playing days,
despite being years away from retiring from the domestic top flight.

It was suggested that Toshack's
management style was a factor in those decisions but while paying
tribute to youngsters with the promise of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey,
it seems Speed may try and entice one or two others back into the fold,
albeit on a short-term basis.

Derby skipper Robbie Savage, 36, has already
contacted his former team-mate about a return to the set-up. But it is
the possibility of seeing Manchester United veteran Giggs, 37, back in action that will gladden
the heart of every Wales fan.

Follow my lead: Captain Speed celebrates scoring against Azerbaijan with John Hartson (far left) and Craig Bellamy six years ago

Asked whether he would consider those
who have quit, Speed said: 'I'm sure I'll be ringing round everybody.
As for Ryan, I'm not too sure he would want to come back. But I'd say
it's something we have not discussed yet. I'm leaving the door open at
the moment.'

Dad's Army

Bringing back the old guard in time to take on England in March may be a masterstroke by new Wales boss Gary Speed.

Perhaps he should go back a bit further and try calling one or two legends.

If he needs a goalkeeper he could phone Neville Southall, who won 92 caps in a 16-year Wales career from 1982, and he’s bound to have a number for Ian Rush (right), who scored 28 goals in 73 internationals.